Railroaded!

I met a man of another race

whose pain he bore

behind a strong smooth face.

When he looked at me

with those dark brown eyes

I was instantly attracted

I felt hypnotized.

We talked about life and the

obstacles he met

and how he overcame them

with tenacity and grit.

He was an athlete, scholar and family man

but ended up serving time

in a local state pen.

After three years in lock up and

five more for probation

he felt angry and violated

and under constant supervision.

They had railroaded him hard

exchanging innocence for

notorious fame,

slapped him with a label

and stole his name.

Now the internet owns his photo and more

adding misery and humiliation

to the pain he once bore.

Author's Note

Based on a true story.

Reviews

[Beccy]

There are many such stories, wrong colour, wrong creed or religion, or just perhaps the wrong place at the wrong time, the victim of circumstance.

It is said that Justice is blind, perhaps so, but that does not make it impartial and objective as it should be; rather that those who administer it, can and often do, turn a blind eye to the truth.

As for the internet, it has many good qualities, but it is now so easy to make mud stick where it shouldn't.

This is strongly written poetry.

Beccy.

[Dara]

Many thanks for your very insightful review. It spoke volumes and is much appreciated. I especially like your comment regarding the internet, "making mud stick where it shouldn't", a perfect description!

[D Alan Johnstone]

This has such a great pace and is such a sad and wonderful story. I like how you managed to maintain the rhyme without sacrificing the narrative.

[Dara]

Thank you so much. Sometimes the words come to me in an instant especially if it something I am passionate about. So nice to see you here.